In a repeating pattern of 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, what is the number in position 13?

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. 3
• D. 4

Answer: (B)

Repeating patterns follow a cycle, so you find the position by where it lands inside that cycle. Here the cycle is five terms long: 1, 1, 2, 3, 4. For the 13th term, 13 leaves a remainder of 3 when divided by 5, so you take the third term of the cycle, which is 2. An easy check is to go through two full cycles (ten terms) and then the next terms are 1, 1, 2, confirming the 13th term is 2.